Iginla-Rinaldo Fight

NBC couldn't shut up about this fight on last nights broadcast, so I had to check it out; and frankly I'm not that impressed. First of all Iginla got what he deserved, Rinaldo hit him clean but being the ass that he is, Iginla started a fight which was flat out stupid since he still seemed dazed from the hit. And second-yeah Iginla ate a couple shots-but compared to the Downey knockout those were love taps. But ones again NBC makes a big deal out of something and talks and talks about it nonstop. IMHO Iginla shouldn't be praised for this fight but should be condemned for starting a fight after a clean check.

I'm not quite clear on the rule, but isn't there some distance from the boards that determines whether it's boarding or not? I guess he hit him from the side, but I thought there was something in the rule that said if it was a certain gap between the player and the boards it was boarding. I thought the Tootoo hit a couple years ago against the Dallas Larson would have fallen under this rule too. Does it actually exist? If so could that explain things?

Either way, I don't know why players can't fight if they don't like a hit. I wouldn't like getting hit like that. If the players don't like it, and they are the ones playing, shouldn't they be the ones to determine whether they think it is acceptable (regardless of the legality of it)?

I'm not quite clear on the rule, but isn't there some distance from the boards that determines whether it's boarding or not? I guess he hit him from the side, but I thought there was something in the rule that said if it was a certain gap between the player and the boards it was boarding. I thought the Tootoo hit a couple years ago against the Dallas Larson would have fallen under this rule too. Does it actually exist? If so could that explain things?

Either way, I don't know why players can't fight if they don't like a hit. I wouldn't like getting hit like that. If the players don't like it, and they are the ones playing, shouldn't they be the ones to determine whether they think it is acceptable (regardless of the legality of it)?

It's called boarding, but here is the rule directly from NHL.com. However, I didn't have a problem with the hit. These guys play hockey, hitting is part of hockey. If you don't want to get hit, don't put yourself in a position to get hit, or don't play the game. Strong, hard, legal hits should not result in a fight. Just because fighting is 'allowed' in hockey doesn't mean players should throw fits when they get hit hard. It's part of the game. (See: Ryan Callahan)

41.1 Boarding – A boarding penalty shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who checks or pushes a defenseless opponent in such a manner that causes the opponent to hit or impact the boards violently in the boards. The severity of the penalty, based upon the impact with the boards, shall be at the discretion of the Referee.

There is an enormous amount of judgment involved in the application of this rule by the Referees. The onus is on the player applying the check to ensure his opponent is not in a defenseless position and if so, he must avoid or minimize the contact. However, in determining wheter such contact could have been avoided, the circumstances of the check, including whether the opponent put himself in a vulnerable position immediately prior to or simultaneously with the check or whether the check was unavoidable can be considered. This balance must be considered by the Referees when applying this rule.

Any unnecessary contact with a player playing the puck on an obvious “icing” or “off-side” play which results in that player hitting or impacting the boards is “boarding” and must be penalized as such. In other instances where there is no contact with the boards, it should be treated as “charging.”

This kind of play is something the league really has to get rid of IMO. Iginla should get a game misconduct for that. Seriously. Accept the fact that you got smoked, and do what they did in the old days. Take note of the guys number and get him the next time.

For the record, I have no problem with fighting and believe its a integral part of the game, but this is just getting ridiculous.

I think Iggy's own teammate screwed him up by trying to get involved right as Rinaldo is throwing haymakers, but as much as I don't like Rinaldo it's hard to feel sorry for Iginla when he's going after a him for a clean hit. Had the refs not stepped in when they did I'm guessing Iginla would've squared things up a bit.

I don't get why NBC would keep talking about it though. Iggy got caught with a couple good punches and knocked down, the refs stepped in.

I don't get why NBC would keep talking about it though. Iggy got caught with a couple good punches and knocked down, the refs stepped in.

My impression was that they weren't totally clear on why Iginla - who's never injured - was held out last night. Were they just resting him? Was he hurt? A bit of both?

"If I were to wish for anything, I should not wish for wealth and power, but for the passionate sense of the potential, for the eye which, ever young and ardent, sees the possible. Pleasure disappoints, possibility never. And what wine is so sparkling, what so fragrant, what so intoxicating, as possibility!" - Kierkegaard

Iginla got smoked by a clean hit, but he may have thought otherwise. Rinaldo got tripped up by another Bruins player so he was right there when Iginla got up. I don't thing Iggy would have bothered to go after Rinaldo on the next shift.

This kind of play is something the league really has to get rid of IMO. Iginla should get a game misconduct for that. Seriously. Accept the fact that you got smoked, and do what they did in the old days. Take note of the guys number and get him the next time.

For the record, I have no problem with fighting and believe its a integral part of the game, but this is just getting ridiculous.

I don't have problem with Iginla challenging Rinaldo after a big, clean hit. Those types of hits, while legal, can and do lead to serious injuries. With that said, I don't think a player should be forced to fight after a clean hit.